He was born in Eldorado on Nov. 1, 1938, the son of Raymond Earl and Ruby Smith Turner. Tim graduated from Eldorado High School in 1956 and went on to earn a Bachelors degree in History from the University of Illinois in 1960 and later, a Masters in Education from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. After college, Tim served in the U.S. Army, stationed near Wiesbaden, Germany.

In 1964, he married the former Sandra Cooper of Eldorado, with whom he recently celebrated 48 years of marriage. They made their home in Eldorado for almost four decades. After his retirement from the Illinois Department of Employment Services, they moved to Pekin to be closer to family.

Tim was a long-standing member of Eldorado First Baptist Church where he served as an usher and Sunday School teacher. He was an avid history buff, with a particular interest in WWII that rivals the History Channel for attention to detail. He also enjoyed collecting coins and different types of guns.

He is survived by his wife Sandra; four children, Lisa (Carl) Cappabianca of Chatham, N.J., Tim (Heidi) Turner of Pekin, Dennis (Heidi) Turner of Nashville, Tenn., and Todd Turner of Phoenix, Ariz.; and five grandchildren, Daniel and Kirsten Cappabianca, Morgan Turner, and Aurora and Adam Turner.

He was preceded in death by his parents and several aunts and uncles.

A small memorial service will be held 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 4, 2012, at Pekin Estates on El Camino Drive in Pekin. His ashes will be buried at a later date. Schmidt-Haller Burial and Cremation services are in charge of arrangements.